Recommended Reading List for Pastors

Truth For Life recommends the following books, on a diverse variety of subjects, for pastors, church leaders and others in Bible-teaching ministry. This carefully selected collection covers topics including Christ-centered preaching, the dynamics of effective preaching, successfully leading a congregation, personal devotion and working in youth ministry.

On Being a Pastor is an essential book written to help pastors fulfill the demanding nature of ministry. A pastor's responsibilities are unique, requiring that he nurture his own spiritual life as well as that of the people in his care. Derek Prime and Alistair Begg provide sound advice for both the spiritual and practical aspects of this high calling and delve deep into topics including prayer, devotional habits, preaching, and specific ministry duties.

Here's help for pastors, teachers, students, or anyone who struggles to preach meaningfully from the Old Testament. Goldsworthy's practical handbook draws out Christ-centered themes from various types of biblical literature; highlights their individual strengths for expository preaching; and demonstrates how to apply them effectively in sermons that focus on the person and work of Jesus.

In Confessing the Faith, Chad Van Dixhoorn offers a fresh look at the Westminster Confession of Faith. This accessible, biblical, and thoughtful work digests years of study and teaching into bite-sized sections. Van Dixhoorn’s Confessing the Faith is historical and practical in its focus. It deliberately presents readers with more than another survey of Reformed theology; it offers a guide to a particular text, considers its original proof-texts, and seeks to deepen our understanding of each paragraph of the Confession.

This is a refreshing and liberating book, especially for any pastor who takes scholarship seriously. For pastors who have grown weary of scholarship and have pushed the hard work of exegesis to the margins of their ministry, this book will be a challenging, yet helpful antidote that will benefit not only the pastor, but the people he is called to shepherd.

Much of what emanates from modern pulpits would not be recognized by history’s great preachers as being bible-based. Recognizing the need for a return to biblical preaching, this booklet by Alistair Begg defines biblical preaching and how to accomplish it. What are the distinctive characteristics of biblical preaching and what is its importance in the life of a church?

Through the use of published sermons, private papers and historical material, this contemporary devotional biography traces McCheyne’s life and influence from his upbringing, conversion and training for the ministry, to the revival that occurred in St Peter’s in 1839 and ultimately, his early death. The contemporary relevance of McCheyne for today’s church is demonstrated and the glory of God is seen in this wonderful story of what He can do with one ‘consecrated sinner’.

With this new release, Crossway is launching a new series titled, Short Studies in Biblical Theology. The Son of God and the New Creation is designed to help readers see the whole Bible as a unified story culminating in Jesus Christ. In this volume, renowned Bible scholar Graeme Goldsworthy traces the theme of divine sonship from Adam, through the nation of Israel and King David, and ultimately to Jesus Christ—the “Son of God.” .

Edited by Timothy Keller and D.A. Carson, The Gospel as Center aims to put to paper in one volume a Gospel-centered understanding of a few key biblical themes. It devotes individual chapters to issues including epistemology, hermeneutics, creation, fall, redemption, justification, and new creation.

Dr. Lloyd-Jones covers the topic of preaching in a systematic and comprehensive manner. He sets up his arguments on solid biblical ground and illustrates them with appropriate real-life examples. Fervent love for God and long experience are stamped on every page.

John Piper reveals how God works through His written Word when the natural act of reading the Bible is undertaken. Ultimately, Piper shows that in the seemingly ordinary act of reading the Bible, something miraculous happens: readers are given eyes to behold the glory of the living God.

Designed as a reference guide for nearly every situation a pastor will face, this comprehensive book by seasoned pastors Kent Hughes and Doug O'Donnell is packed full of biblical wisdom and practical guidance related to the reality of pastoral ministry in the trenches. From officiating weddings to conducting funerals to visiting the sick, The Pastor's Book will equip pastors and church leaders with the knowledge they need to effectively minister to their flocks, both within the walls of the church and beyond.

Spiritual leaders lead people to heaven. Here in Seven Leaders are accounts of seven such men, together with the distinctive features of their lives—in John Elias, the necessity of the power of the Holy Spirit; in Andrew Bonar, the reality of communion with Christ; in Archie Brown, the irresistibility of love; in Kenneth MacRae, the need for faithfulness to death; in Martyn Lloyd-Jones, theology and doctrine; in W. J. Grier, passing on the ‘sacred deposit’; and in John MacArthur, the governing authority of the word of God.

Author Christopher Ash argues for preaching that “grips” the hearts of the hearers. He points out four themes: the reality of God, the stubbornness of people, the urgency of faith and the wonder of grace. These four things should cause the preacher to passionately and confidently proclaim God’s Word to His people.

Anyone involved in Christian ministry knows how challenging it is to balance ministry and family responsibilities. Writing from decades of counseling and personal experience, Ajith Fernando points Christian leaders back to the most important aspect of their lives: their relationship with God. He then offers practical guidance for responding to real-life situations in the home, including disciplining children, dealing with disappointment, loving one’s spouse, and pursuing joy. This book presents Christian leaders with a healthy and God-centered understanding of family that leads to a flourishing home.

Thousands of people leave Christian ministry every month. They've not lost their love for Christ, or their desire to serve him. But for one reason or another, they're exhausted and simply cannot carry on. Christopher Ash knows this experience all too well, having found himself on the edge of burnout a number of times. His wisdom has been distilled into this short, accessible book, in which he reveals a neglected biblical truth and seven keys that flow from it.

Christians are transformed by the renewing of their minds. In a series of Scripture-enriched chapters, Sinclair B. Ferguson's Devoted to God works out this principle in detail. It provides what he describes as 'blueprints for sanctification' an orderly exposition of central New Testament passages on holiness. Devoted to God builds a strong and reliable structural framework for practical Christian living. It stresses the foundational importance of fundamental issues such as union with Christ, the rhythms of spiritual growth, the reality of spiritual conflict, and the role of God's law.

A life long-lover of the Old Testament, Alec Motyer searches the Old Testament text with the conviction that Jesus is the fulfilment of the all that is foretold. A comprehensive survey of the Old Testament, organized around its authors and major characters, this book reveals how the Holy Spirit chose, fashioned and equipped the biblical authors to convey distinctive truths through each of them.

In Coming Home, a team of eight leading Bible teachers offers a vision of the new heaven and new earth in a way that doesn’t just impact a view of the future, but how to change the way in which we live today. These eight essays will stir up a longing for our future home as we eagerly await Jesus’s glorious return.

Since the days of the early church, Christians have struggled to understand the relationship between two seemingly contradictory concepts in the Bible: law and Gospel. If, as the Apostle Paul says, the law cannot save, what can it do? Is it merely an ancient relic from Old Testament Israel to be discarded? Or is it still valuable for Christians today? Helping modern Christians think through this complex issue, seasoned pastor and theologian Sinclair Ferguson carefully leads readers to rediscover an 18th-century debate that sheds light on this present-day doctrinal conundrum.

This complete and unabridged edition of Spurgeon's great work will make it possible for today's generation to appreciate Spurgeon's combination of discerning wit and refreshingly practical advice.

Spurgeon's Lectures to My Students contain the substance of Spurgeon's regular Friday afternoon addresses to the college students. This new complete and unabridged Banner edition, which has been newly typeset, contains all the lectures in the original first and second series, including The Minister's Self-Watch, The Preacher's Private Prayer, The Minister's Fainting Fits, The Holy Spirit in Connection with our Ministry, The Need of Decision for the Truth, and On Conversion as our Aim. Also included is a third series of lectures, originally published as The Art of Illustration, which focuses on the nature, use, and sources of illustrations and anecdotes in preaching.

The Bible has a radical, earthshaking message about Jesus Christ. It says that He is not merely a human being, not merely a famous religious teacher, but the Lord of the universe. The truth of this message has profound implications for every sphere of life, including religion, politics, science, art, education, and even our understanding of the future. Covering each of these topics at societal and individual levels, Poythress unpacks what it means to serve Christ as an expression of gratitude by people who have been saved by grace. Helping readers grow in the knowledge of Jesus as not just their Savior but also their Lord, this book reveals the joy that is found in serving Him with a full heart.

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Truth For Life is the teaching ministry of Alistair Begg and is committed to teaching the Bible with clarity and relevance so that unbelievers will be converted, believers will be established, and local churches will be strengthened.